Beyonce says Jay Z has

In the upcoming issue of "Complex" magazine, B acknowledged the direct influence of Jay??s own work too.

—Jay??s music is more than music. His lyrics have fathered generations,?? she told the magazine. —All that he has overcome gives millions so much hope. There are moments when I see his lips moving, and I can see lyrics floating above his head, and I think, —Wow! How did I get so lucky to be able to witness this level of genius so closely— ??

I know this is her husband and she is going to speak well of him and all, but, WTH is she talking about? Yea, he worked his way out of poverty to become one of the most savvy business men in the rap game/entertainment industry, and I think it's wonderful that he does charity work and whatnot, but, sorry, when I think of inspiring lyrics by a rapper, someone who constantly talks about how much money he has, how much of a "God" he is, and how he's got "99 problems but a bitch ain't one", Jay just doesn't come to mind.

Now if someone said Common, then I'd agree. Sad that the more positive rappers don't get enough cred (but that's a whole nother thread). *SMH*

Sorry. Don't know what happened.

Title should read: Beyonce says Jay Z has "fathered generations".

I don't know, I'm not completely familiar with all the rap that's out there, but I do think that he is one of the better lyricists--especially within the grouping of what's well-known and has gotten wide-scale popular attention. Given all the horrible stuff that people hear and the stuff that makes people call it "cRap," I think he's definitely on the side of "redeeming" the genre if you were to look at it that way and had to draw a line. Don't ask me to cite examples haha, but he seems to do some interesting and unique things in terms of rhyme/rhythm and vocabulary maybe? I wouldn't be uncomfortable with naming him a "writer/artist."

There are others, or maybe just one really, who I think of purely as an entertainer (if that) or businessman...Puff Daddy! C'mon. Stop doing it, Diddy! He might be a good producer, it seems so, given some of the people he's worked with (I just saw something about Mary J. Blige), but he really is not a writer. For real. No. I can't say it enough...no no no no.

I think, too, that one can't really judge based entirely on singles. From what it seems, those are released or possibly sometimes even generated partly with a marketing aspect in mind. What's marketable and catchy enough for radio. So maybe 99 Problems and others like Big Pimpin' answer to that idea.

December 4th is a pretty good song, I think...it seems pretty forthcoming. I don't think it was ever a single. The gray album and his unplugged album are both pretty interesting to me.

Also, he was on Oprah, so there you go. Oprah likes.

And hmmm on Beyonce. I have to admit that I didn't like Beyonce very much before. The music's fine, but I remember hearing songs and thinking, "Those lyrics! WTF?" I still get completely lost if I hear "If I were a Boy." Someone please explain that song to me. But seeing clips of some of her live/awards show performances, I can respect her for being able to put on an entertaining and even unique presentation. Sometimes it seems like people are trying too hard and it becomes more about trying to entertain rather than just presenting your stuff and being entertaining as a consequence of being able to back something you're proud of.

^I'm saying Beyonce is not in the trying-too-hard category. I think that would be someone like Kesha from what I've seen.

About Common...I think he's not as well-known within the Top40 world, which seems completely dependent upon the singles/soundbite mentality. I can only think of one of his singles that made it to pop radio, and it was a while back -- the one that sampled Stevie Wonder? But, I think people who are more than just a little interested in rap and hip-hop know of Common and would readily give him due respect.

Anyways, he's in movies. I saw Date Night and...ahem...Terminator: (something).

Posted by everevolvingepithet

Posted by sporklifter
And hmmm on Beyonce. I have to admit that I didn't like Beyonce very much before. The music's fine, but I remember hearing songs and thinking, "Those lyrics! WTF?" I still get completely lost if I hear "If I were a Boy." Someone please explain that song to me. But seeing clips of some of her live/awards show performances, I can respect her for being able to put on an entertaining and even unique presentation. Sometimes it seems like people are trying too hard and it becomes more about trying to entertain rather than just presenting your stuff and being entertaining as a consequence of being able to back something you're proud of.

Ghostwriters vs. Entertainers ? 🙂

click to expand

Yes, possibly. Ghostwriting is pretty interesting in itself. I believe people like Ella Fitzgerald and others of that era didn't always (or ever) write their own songs (I'm not completely certain about this), and yet I've never heard anyone trashing Ella Fitzgerald.

And having mentioned Kesha, I think she does actually write songs (however you want to value them). But then the entertainment/performance side of it is just painful to watch.

Maybe it's similar to a belief in the literary world where good writers are not always good teachers (teaching being the equivalent of performing in this case). And of course the other way around too with the saying "Those who can't do, teach."

Hi Sporklifter!

I agree with so many of your comments.

Jay is a writer/poet indeed. Can't deny that.

I'll try to check out some of his songs that you referenced so as to get a better idea of his skills/messages.
I know that he is well respected in the industry and alot of people look up to him for what he has accomplished.

Oprah def. likes him. I think she finds him intriguing.

Beyonce is a wonderful talent and she's not a put-on. I own a few of her dvd concerts and she's even more amazing live than on the radio. Such a great rapport with her fans/the audience, and the fact that she can dance & sing all at once and still manage to sound perfect blows me away. Did you see her Glastonbury performance. WOW is all I have to say.

I would consider Common to be a bit more of an "underground" artist if that makes any sense. Iono, just seems like those are the types of great rap artists that don't really get much play (no pun intended.)

Posted by everevolvingepithet
Because she's trying to come off as a bit out there and higher minded in promotion of this last album ?
Reminds me of the 'fart sniffing intellectuals' episode of South Park. 🙂

LOL @ fart sniffing intellectuals.

Do you know that I have yet to see one episode of SP?

Not my cup o' tea.